The launch of the activities of the 19th annual conference of the Adult Education Center at Ain Shams University

This morning, the activities of the 19th annual conference of the Adult Education Center at Ain Shams University, entitled "Artificial Intelligence and Adult Education in the Arab World", were launched in cooperation with the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science and the General Authority for Adult Education, which lasts for two days under the auspices of Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Reda Hegazy, Minister of Education, Dr. Neven Kabbaj, Minister of Social Solidarity, Prof. Mahmoud El-Meteini, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Mohammed Ould Omar, Director General of the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science, Prof. Mohamed Nassif, head of the Public Authority for Adult Education, headed by Prof. Ghada Farouk, Acting Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development.

Prof. Dr. Ayman Salih, Vice President of Ain Shams University for Postgraduate Studies and Research, confirmed that the conference deals with the use of artificial intelligence in adult education from a broad perspective that includes different levels of learning and not just freedom from illiteracy, pointing out that it is an important topic that includes opportunities and challenges. Large numbers and wider sectors of people with special needs, in addition to saving time, not adhering to specific dates for learning, and uniqueness of the educational content according to the level of the individual (personalization of content).

In addition to overcoming personal problems such as shyness.

As for the challenges, they include the availability of infrastructure in terms of the internet and devices, the lack or limitation of digital knowledge, the rate of which in developed countries ranges from 14-28% according to the OECD, in addition to the need for a different type of trainers and supervisors.

In her speech, Prof Ghada Farouk, Acting Vice President of Ain Shams University for Community Service and Environmental Development, confirmed that artificial intelligence applications have become a powerful and expressive field towards achieving the goals of sustainable development because of the positive impact they have within societies, in addition to their ability to provide realistic solutions that are in line with problems. and economic challenges. This interest was reflected in educational institutions in general and adult education institutions in particular.

She added that the concept of eradicating illiteracy now requires students to acquire new technological skills, and the interest in the concept of adult education in its comprehensive sense includes literacy, continuing learning, training, qualification and preparing leaders, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and keeping pace with the developments of the times, and on this basis came the idea of the ninth annual conference of the Center for Adult Education, which focuses on employing artificial intelligence applications in adult education programs in the Arab world and presenting directions and programs that ensure linking the adult education movement with the requirements of sustainable development.

Prof. Muhammad Nassif, Chairman of the Public Authority for Adult Education, asked why artificial intelligence is used in adult education, pointing out that it helps in the continuous education of adult learners in a way that encourages them to acquire skills related to artificial intelligence, as most modern industries and life and professional aspects are linked to it.

It also helps in strengthening the curricula of adult learners in order to be able to meet their renewable and future needs, as well as developing test systems for adult learners and increasing the automation of evaluation processes, in addition to being a technological means capable of taking into account the principle of individual differences in adult education with its ability to reduce the burden on operations. The administrative system used in adult education and the support of the learners’ system through the use of smart teaching systems, and the support of the learners’ system by helping them to use computer programs that simulate the teacher, in addition to the role of artificial intelligence in saving time and improving the opportunities for the growth of professional skills among learners and reducing the costs spent on these programs and taking into account the abilities of adult learners.

In the speech of Prof. Dr. Salah Hashem, Advisor to the Ministry of Solidarity for Social Policies on behalf of His Excellency Dr. Nevin Al-Kabbaj, Minister of Social Solidarity, he emphasized that Ain Shams University’s obtaining the UNESCO Prize for Literacy (Confucius) for the year 2021 is a new international testimony that the Egyptian state is moving forward through A clear-cut plan that expresses the aspirations of the people and the will of the political leadership for a new republic devoid of illiteracy. I salute His Excellency the President of the Republic for his full support and continuous directives to motivate all institutions of society to work together to improve human life.

He pointed out that there was interest from a long time ago in the issue of illiteracy, so the state hastened to issue laws that limit its seriousness, and the official start of this legislation was in 1944, when it witnessed the issuance of Law 110, which is considered the first official legislation that combats illiteracy and works to spread popular culture, and then many came after it. Laws and decisions aimed at eradicating illiteracy, leading to the national initiative launched by the political leadership to eradicate illiteracy in all its forms.

He reviewed the efforts of the Ministry of Solidarity in the field of illiteracy eradication since the beginning of the actual work, including the development of units for social solidarity within Egyptian universities in the year before last, the number of which has so far reached 31 units of solidarity in 29 governmental and private groups, and literacy is one of its main themes.

He added that the Ministry has set literacy as a prerequisite for obtaining most of its services. The Ministry has also concluded many partnerships with NGOs, universities and the General Authority for Literacy and Adult Education in establishing community schools and literacy classes and working on generalizing education and disseminating it on a large scale, in addition to the partnerships that The Ministry held it with international institutions such as UNESCO, UNICEF and others.

Dr. Islam Al-Said indicated that the conference confirms what was announced by UNESCO and ALESCO about the importance of the digital dimension in achieving the quality of adult education and learning, and the need to invest in digital culture and social networks in achieving a qualitative leap in the field of adult education and learning, which helps them acquire new life skills required by the age. digital in order to build a sustainable future.

He explained that the conference program includes 8 scientific sessions distributed over two days, including 62 papers and working papers from a group of professors and researchers from 19 Arab and African countries and 29 universities, ministries and research centers from Egypt and the Arab world, in addition to holding 4 workshops in support of young researchers.

The opening session of the conference was attended by Prof. Dr. Ayman Saleh, Vice President for Studies and Research, Prof. Ghada Farouk, Acting Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, Prof. Dr. Salah Hashem, Advisor to the Minister of Social Solidarity for Social Policies, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Nassef, President of the General Authority for Adult Education, and Dr. Rami Iskandar, Director of the Education Department at the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science, Secretary General of the Conference, Dr. Islam Mohamed Al-Saeed, Director of the Adult Education Center at Ain Shams University, General Rapporteur of the Conference, and a group of specialists.